Requiem III: The Search for The Truth
by Bonnie Eagan & Alisa Joaquin
Part 34: Refocusing
The revelation of Lo Si's words struck like a thunderclap. Xia? The granddaughter of Kim Luc? The perfume was forgotten for the moment as other issues came to light.
"Master, was Tan the son of Kim Luc?" Kwai Chang asked.
"No," the Ancient said quietly. "She has been pursuing a depth of honor where none needed repaying."
Kwai Chang knew exactly what kind of depth Xia was trying to repay, a depth of death. But why try to kill Lo Si when he had not been involved? It was Caine who vanquished Tan in a fair and just fight. But learning that Tan was not even Xia's father brought more questions to the forefront.
'Does she know?" Kwai Chang asked.
"Yes, but I fear what she may still do."
"You cannot fight a battle on two fronts, especially when our forces are lacking one of its members," Matthew stated. "This Xia will have to wait. She is not our focus. We must learn all we can of the Master and his weaknesses." Though Matthew's words seemed cold. He did not know who Xia was and did not see her as a threat.
"If he has any," Li Pei stated, his words coming out as unsure.
"Kim Luc is only a man. His evil ways will be his downfall. He will not succeed whatever that may be," Kwai Chang stated.
Matthew, however, was not so sure. His son's confidence bordered on recklessness. He would prefer to meditate and learn all he could. He did not like to fight or face those whose abilities could be greater than his own. He was a healer and a scholar, and he preferred to keep it that way. But thinking of Peter, his grandson, he was now uncertain if that was the wisest course. To meditate while he was in danger seemed far more foolish than what Kwai Chang proposed earlier. Still, he had voiced his opinion as a priest. But maybe he needed to see things more as a father here. What if it was Kwai Chang who had been placed in danger? What would he do? Matthew knew the answer from the start. He would pursue his son and rescue him. He would fight the evil that faced him, no matter if he knew anything about it or not. And thinking of Peter, he realized he could do no less for his grandson.
"Kwai Chang, do you not have a way of knowing where your son is?" Matthew asked.
The question threw everyone off. It was totally unexpected and at first Kwai Chang did not answer.
"Sure, he does," Kermit stated. "So does Peter." Kermit had kept silent up to this point, not wanting to interfere in family business. "But we've got to go in with a plan. There could be booby traps set. And you would need a diversion to make certain nothing else goes wrong. This Kim Luc obviously is using Peter for bait. I'd say we give him what he wants, and a little bit more." Kermit pulled out his dessert eagle to force the point.
Kwai Chang gave Kermit a broad grin though Matthew frowned.
"If we are to do this," Matthew stated, "Then my son, you had better contact your son and let him know we are on our way."
Continues with Part 35